The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) is setting up a new organisation to review build quality issues in the construction industry.

The Commission of Past Presidents will investigate what needs to be done to address the issue, as well as issues around management and supervision, the importance for our education framework, and whether there are further steps the industry can take to contribute to improving build quality.

The move comes in light of recent tragic events of Grenfell Tower, as well as the publication of a report earlier this year into defects which led to the closure of 17 schools in Edinburgh last year. The School Closures Report, led by industry expert Professor John Cole CBE, criticised a number of build quality issues within the schools, including the issue of 'fire stopping' which would have made the buildings unsafe in the event of a fire.


Chair of the Commission, Immediate CIOB Past President Paul Nash, said: "The recent tragic events at Grenfell Tower have further underlined the need for an urgent review of the way in which quality is managed in our industry. Whilst aspects of the public inquiry must necessarily focus on the issues of regulation and inspection, I think we have to look beyond this at the behaviours that have led to a lack of focus on quality at all stages of the build process, from design and procurement through to construction and re-fit.

"The CIOB has a duty to respond to this issue, acting in the public interest. As professionals we have a duty to the industry and wider society to act responsibly and ethically. This defines what it means to be a professional. And we all have a responsibility for the reputation of our industry and, most importantly, the wellbeing of those who use the buildings that we create."

(LM/MH)